Lisa McPherson in the News

Within 17 days, McPherson - who'd spent most of her adult life and tens of thousands of dollars as a devotee of Hubbard's teachings - would be dead. The once-voluptuous 36-year-old - she stood 5 feet 9 and wore a size 12 dress - lost an estimated 40 to 50 pounds during the ordeal, dropping to 108, her bruised body pocked by insect bites and scabs. She was never seen by a licensed physician during that time.

Relatives of Lisa McPherson made a tear-filled trip Saturday night to the Scientology hotel where she spent her final days under guard and in the grips of a mental breakdown. Her aunt and uncle, Dell and Art Liebreich, and her cousin Kim Krenek led a group of about 60 anti-Scientology protesters who held candles and laid a wreath outside a privacy wall at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel. A few feet away, just beyond the wall, was Room 174, where McPherson is said to have spent 17 days under the care of fellow Scientologists. She died at 36 on Dec. 5, 1995, and the Church of Scientology was criminally charged last month with abuse and practicing medicine without a license.

A former Scientologist from Denmark said Friday that he helped force bread, fruit and liquids into the throat of an unconscious woman as part of an effort help her recover from a mental breakdown. Karsten Lorenzen's detailed account at a news conference held by a group of Scientology critics resembles the experience of Lisa McPherson, as documented by state investigators and Clearwater police. McPherson was the 36-year-old Scientologist whose 1995 death has resulted in criminal charges of abuse and practicing medicine without a license against the Church of Scientology in Clearwater.

The Church of Scientology pleaded not guilty today to criminal charges in connection with the 1995 death of a member whose family maintained that she had been held against her will by the church for 17 days. The church's Flag Service Organization, its chief operating arm here, was charged in the case this month with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license, both felonies. No individuals were charged.

Scientologists share at least one strongly-held belief with mainstream sceptics: they will have no truck with psychiatry. So McPherson was taken instead to the Fort Harrison hotel, owned by the organistion. Seventeen days later, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at HCA hospital, New Port Richey. Her family blames Scientology for her death, for her dehydration, the bruises on her arms and legs, the abrasions and lesions, the apparent bug or animal bites. A medical examiner said she had died of a blood clot complicated by dehydration. She also had an infection, which the church blames for all her symptoms.

The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization Inc. was charged with abuse and/or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license. Though serious, the lawyers said, the charges carry less emotion than manslaughter and less of a stigma for Scientology than if church members faced individual charges that could put them in prison. Because the Scientology entity was charged corporately, no single person faces prosecution or punishment. "They probably determined that this is the charge that can be best proved, most easily proved, as opposed to manslaughter," said Michael Cheek, a veteran criminal defense lawyer in Clearwater.

With Thanksgiving coming up later this week, I'd like to suggest that as you baste your turkey with your handy-dandy turkey baster, you imagine for a moment what it would be like if somebody tried to stick one of those gizmos down your throat. While you were being held down, of course. I speak not on behalf of the rights of some noisy, plump bird from Frank Perdue but on behalf of a starved, severely disturbed woman, Lisa McPherson, now quite dead.

When Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe filed two criminal charges against the Church of Scientology last week over Lisa McPherson's death, the reaction of church officials was unusually benign. "We'd like to see how to move forward and put this unfortunate incident behind us," said Mike Rinder, a top Scientology official known more for his attacking style. The church's attitude in January 1997 was very different. It sued Pinellas County Medical Examiner Joan Wood after she said McPherson went without fluids for five to 10 days before her death, and a Scientology attorney called the respected medical examiner a "hateful liar."

The Scientologists watching Lisa McPherson write logs summarizing events during their watch. Excerpts: "Dr Johnson just visited. Not possible for her to have any more chloralhydrate. I need to get 4 more valarian root capsules into her & a quart of fluid. ... She is using her legs to kick again. Yesterday it wasn't much of a threat. ... This AM she is deliberate & nasty -- even evil. ... She's asleep! Dr Johnson was here & gave her 2 chloralhydrates. I believe she got the entire amount in each capsule. ... She became very restless & almost awakened. I used 2 chloralhydrates & got approx 1 in her."

The Scientologists watching Lisa McPherson write logs summarizing events during their watch. Valerie Demange says that "She was violent for about 2 hours yesterday night, the rest of the time she was calmer and looks very tired." A later watcher says "The 'watch' said she was quieter, but suspects its because she's weak."

The Scientologists watching Lisa McPherson write logs summarizing events during their watch. Rita Boykin notes "Valeri & I gave her 2 valerian root capsules 2 of the little gel tablets & 2 white tablets ... 1/3 of a bannna shake with five more of the small white tablets. ... the rest of the bananna shake with the 5 white tablets & 2 more valarian root capsules" and says Dr. Johnson was called about Lisa's lack of sleep.

The Scientologists watching Lisa McPherson write logs summarizing events during their watch. Alice Van Gondelle is woken at 1:30 in the morning to take a shift watching Lisa, which lasts until 4 in the afternoon: "I went into the room & she was total Type III. Blabbering, incoherent nonstop. Shaking, no warm clothes on -- a old top & shorts & shoes -- no socks. She fell asleep for 4 hours & got up. I finally chased her around the place 50 times & got on slacks, tee shirt, jacket, socks & shoes -- she was like an ice cube. She talked incoherently hour after hour. She refused to eat & spit out everything she took. Her breathe was foul. She looked ill like measles or chicken pox on her face. Had a fever to my touch. After 1 pm she went violent & hit me a few times telling me she was to kill me #s of times. I called in the "guard" outside -- the fellow am HCO staff member -- new one a Mexican gentleman. He stayed with me during the rage -- but she still smacked me around. (I did cover & guard myself but she was out of control). I finally got her to drink a protein shake but she wouldn't eat or sleep any further. This lasted til 4 pm."